By Beam Staff

It is a fact that the harder you work, the more opportunities open up for you. If you don’t try at all, every door is closed.

Getting a dream scholarship is not only luck. You need to prove that you are worthy of a scholarship body’s investment.

Thae Thae Oo’s story is a classic example of self-discipline, perseverance and academic success.

This is one student who created her own pathway to scholarship attainment. Thae Thae Oo’s experience may be the exact story you need to hear right now in order to prepare for your own future.

Thae Thae Oo from Taunggyi, Shan State, was just 16 years old when she was accepted into the BEAM Education Foundation’s CYLD (Community Youth Leadership Development) program.

Little did she know that this would support her dreams of a successful future. Yet her journey wasn’t particularly easy.

“I lost my way for sure. I didn’t know what my future held for me. There were not many options to choose from as someone with a financially limited background,” she says. 

“But I realized that the GED was the pathway that could help me continue my education. So, I searched for suitable and affordable GED programs and I came across the CYLD program.”

After passing her GED with outstanding results, she decided to apply for a scholarship at Thammasat University under the TISR (Thammasat International Student Recruitment) program when she was 18 years of age.

“I saw that one of my seniors from Beam got this same scholarship on social media. Since that moment, I decided to apply for the next year – 2025,” she says.

Thae Thae Oo can clearly see that one of the secrets to her success was the CYLD program.

“BEAM was undoubtedly the turning point of my life. If I didn’t get into the CYLD Program, I wouldn’t be the person who I am today. It changed my view on life, community and future. I was surrounded by supportive classmates, friends and the most inspiring teachers both during and after the program,” she says.

“There was not a single day when I didn’t improve during the program. Personal development is huge at BEAM and it really changed me to be a better version of myself. I can say that the time in the CYLD Program will always be one of the best parts of my life.”

Applying for a scholarship is nerve-wracking for everyone. Applications must be high quality and then there is still no guarantee of success. Thae Thae Oo recalls her moment vividly.

“I was shaking while opening the announcement. As soon as I saw my name in the scholarship recipients list, I cried my heart out because I had been working for this result for the past three years,” she says.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes and called my grandma and my mother to share the news.”

“This was not my very first time applying for a scholarship, I applied for a few university scholarships but I got rejected, or only awarded partially. Those were the times that I started to lose faith in my ability. I almost started to feel that I was not made for a scholarship,” Thae Thae Oo says.

“But I believe that everyone has their own ‘right time’ and ‘right place’. So, I decided to sharpen my skills more and believe that I will also receive the right scholarship at the right time if I didn’t  give up. It’s important to believe in your ability and the fact that there is always a chance and the right timing for you too.”

As a graduate from BEAM, Thae Thae Oo can still reflect upon her continual growth, which makes her BEAM teachers proud.

“I honestly have become a more optimistic person. I had a supportive community and supportive teachers who I will always cherish. And the main difference is I am not a high school student anymore, I am a graduate and will be a university student in a few months,” Thae Thae Oo says.

Very soon Thae Thae Oo will be beginning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend of 8000 baht a month. She plans to pursue a full-time job in International Cooperations so she can give back to her family and community.

Thae Thae Oo has learnt a lot during her educational journey and her insights are worthy of consideration.

“I know, this journey is not easy and simple. You can face loads of obstacles,” she says. “But remember, each of us has ‘a right time,’” she says. “You will meet that ‘right time’ only if you are constantly trying and never give up.”

Thae Thae Oo is the perfect example of someone who believed in herself and kept up her focus.

Maybe this is your time to get ready for a similar journey?

Need more inspiration? Please click here. We have so many successes which fill us with pride!